Rodeo or riding device

ABSTRACT

A riding device includes one or more cranks rotatably attached to a base, and a rider support supported on a carrier and movable relative to the base for supporting a rider, and a moving device for moving the carrier and the rider support relative to the base in an elliptical and reciprocating action, the rider support may be moved in different moving strokes relative to the base and may be adjusted up and down relative to the carrier. The base includes one or more rotatable cranks and the carrier includes a curved member slidably and movably engaged with the crank for allowing the curved member of the carrier to be forced to move in the elliptical and reciprocating action by the crank.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a rodeo or riding device, and more particularly to a rodeo or riding device including a rider support or saddle supported on a carrier which is movable relative to a base by a drive mechanism or device in an elliptical and reciprocating action for allowing the rider support also to be moved relative to the by in the elliptical and reciprocating action.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Typical riding devices or rodeo training devices comprise a rider support for supporting the users thereon, and a drive mechanism having a crank arm coupled to the rider support to drive the rider support and to simulate the bucking and/or spinning motions of a rodeo animal attempting to unseat its rider.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,997,979 to Turner discloses one of the typical rodeo training devices also comprising a drive mechanism coupled to the rider support with a crank arm for training cowboys to ride rodeo animals such as bulls and wild horses.

Normally, the drive mechanism is coupled to the rider support with the crank arm for actuating or moving or rotating the rider support. In addition, the drive mechanism is solidly coupled to the rider support with the crank arm, such that the rider support may not be moved relative to the crank arm and the drive mechanism in an elliptical and reciprocating action and also may not be moved relative to the crank arm and the drive mechanism in different moving stroke.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,425 to Collins et al. discloses a typical workout horse comprising a body portion having a support column extended downwardly therefrom, and an upper frame attached to the support column, and a drive mechanism coupled between the upper frame and a stationary base frame for actuating or moving the support column and the body portion relative to the stationary base frame.

However, the support column and the body portion may not be moved relative to the stationary base frame in an elliptical and reciprocating action. In addition, the drive mechanism is also solidly coupled between the upper frame and the stationary base frame such that the support column and the body portion also may not be moved relative to the stationary base frame in an elliptical and reciprocating action and also may not be moved relative to the stationary base frame in different moving stroke.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,626 to Beaty discloses a typical bucking machine also comprising a drive mechanism coupled to the rider support with one or more crank arms and/or links and/or spin wheels and/or spin shafts, and a rotating frame for supporting the rider support for allowing the rider support to be driven to simulate the bucking and/or spinning motions of a rodeo animal attempting to unseat its rider.

However, the rotating frame may only be rotated relative to the stationary base frame but not be moved relative to the stationary base frame in an elliptical and reciprocating action and also may not be moved relative to the stationary base frame in different moving stroke.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,866,594 to Greenwood discloses a typical polo training apparatus comprising a body portion having a lower frame portion, and a drive mechanism coupled between the lower frame portion of the body portion and a fixed frame for driving the lower frame portion of the body portion to simulate the polo training operation.

However, the fixed frame and the lower frame portion of the body portion may not be moved relative to the supporting ground or plane in an elliptical and reciprocating action and also may not be moved relative to the cranks and the swing arms of the drive mechanism in different moving stroke.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,964,614 to Tsai discloses a typical riding device also comprising a seat plate coupled to a front spindle and a rear spindle of a drive mechanism with cranks and swing arms respectively, for driving the seat plate to simulate the bucking and/or spinning motions of a rodeo animal attempting to unseat its rider.

However, the seat plate is also solidly coupled to the drive mechanism with the cranks and the swing arms, such that the seat plate may not be moved relative to the cranks and the swing arms of the drive mechanism in an elliptical and reciprocating action and also may not be moved relative to the cranks and the swing arms of the drive mechanism in different moving stroke.

The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional bucking or riding or rodeo training devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a rodeo or riding device including a rider support or saddle supported on a carrier which is movable relative to a base by a drive mechanism or device in an elliptical and reciprocating action for allowing the rider support also to be moved relative to the base in the elliptical and reciprocating action.

The other objective of the present invention is to provide a rodeo or riding device including a rider support and/or a carrier movable relative to a drive mechanism or device for allowing the rider support to be moved in different moving strokes relative to the drive mechanism or device by the drive mechanism or device and by the moment of inertia.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a rodeo or riding device comprising a base, a carrier supported on the base and movable relative to the base, a rider support supported on the carrier and moved in concert with each other for supporting a rider, and a moving device for moving the carrier and the rider support relative to the base in an elliptical and reciprocating action.

The base includes at least one crank rotatably attached to the base, and the carrier includes a curved member engaged with the crank for allowing the curved member of the carrier to be forced to move in the elliptical and reciprocating action by the crank. The base includes a roller rotatably attached to the crank and engaged with the curved member of the carrier.

The carrier includes a stop member attached to the curved member for engaging with the roller and for limiting the carrier to move relative to the roller of the crank. The carrier includes a retaining member attached to the carrier and parallel to the curved member of the carrier for confining the roller between the retaining member and the curved member of the carrier.

The moving device includes a driving device coupled to the crank for rotating the crank relative to the base. The driving device includes a fly wheel rotatably attached to the base and coupled to the crank and rotated in concert with the crank, a pulley rotatably attached to the base and coupled to the fly wheel, and a motor coupled to the pulley for rotating the pulley and the fly wheel and the crank relative to the base.

The carrier includes an end portion movable forwardly and rearwardly relative to the base in a reciprocating action. The end portion of the carrier is pivotally coupled to the base with a link. The base includes a column extended therefrom, and the link is dependent downwardly from the column of the base and pivotally coupled to the end portion of the carrier with a pivot pin.

The rider support includes a post slidably engaged with the carrier and movable up and down relative to the carrier. The carrier includes a housing disposed on the carrier for slidably receiving the post. The rider support includes a frame pivotally supported on the post with a pivot rod, and a saddle disposed on the frame. The post includes a beam disposed on the post, a hub disposed on the beam and pivotally coupled to the frame with the pivot rod.

The rider support includes at least one spring member engaged between the beam and the frame for cushioning the frame and the saddle. The rider support includes a fastener slidably engaged through the beam and the spring member and engaged with the frame for limiting the frame to tilt relative to the beam and the post.

The rider support includes an arm attached to the frame for adjustably attaching at least one stirrup to the frame. The rider support includes a tube, and the carrier includes a threaded member rotatably attached to the carrier and engaged with the tube for adjusting the tube of the rider support up and down relative to the carrier. The carrier includes a motor coupled to the threaded member for rotating the threaded member relative to the carrier.

Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front and upper perspective view of a riding device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear and upper perspective view of the riding device, in which a saddle has been removed from the riding device;

FIG. 3 is a left side plan schematic view of the riding device;

FIG. 4 is a partial rear and upper perspective view of the riding device;

FIG. 5 is a right side plan schematic view of the riding device;

FIGS. 6, 7 are right side plan schematic views similar to FIG. 5, illustrating the operation of the riding device;

FIG. 8 is a partial exploded view of the riding device;

FIG. 9 is a partial right side plan schematic view of the riding device in which a portion of the riding device has been removed or cross sectioned for showing an inner structure of the riding device;

FIG. 10 is another partial exploded view of the riding device; and

FIG. 11 is a partial rear plan schematic view illustrating the operation of the riding device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1-9, a riding device 1 in accordance with the present invention comprises a stationary base 10 including such as an I-shaped structure for increasing the stability of-the base 10, and including a post or column 11 extended upwardly therefrom, such as extended upwardly from one end or the front portion of the base 10, and including a support or stud 12 extended upwardly therefrom, such as extended upwardly from the other end or the rear portion of the base 10, and including a crank device 13 or one or more (such as two) cranks 13 rotatably attached to or supported on the base 10, such as rotatably attached to the stud 12 with an axle 14 (FIG. 1) and thus rotatable relative to the base 10 in a cyclic and reciprocating action. A pulley or roller 15 is attached to the free end portion of each of the cranks 13.

A motor driving means or device 20 is disposed on the base 10 and is provided for coupling to the cranks 13 in order to rotate the cranks 13 relative to the base 10 in the cyclic and reciprocating action, and includes a wheel or pulley 21 rotatably attached to the base 10, such as rotatably attached to the stud 12 of the base 10 with a shaft 22, and includes a motor 23 disposed on the base 10 and having a spindle 24 coupled to the pulley 21 with a coupling device 25, such as a coupling belt 25, a gearing mechanism (not shown), a sprocket-and-chain mechanism (not shown) or the like for rotating or driving the pulley 21 relative to the base 10 or the stud 12, and includes a weight member or fly wheel 26 also rotatably attached to the base 10, such as rotatably attached to the stud 12 of the base 10 with the axle 14 for allowing the axle 14 and the cranks 13 and the fly wheel 26 to be rotated in concert with each other.

The weight member or fly wheel 26 is coupled to the pulley 21, such as coupled to the shaft 22 of the pulley 21 with another coupling device 27 (FIG. 3), such as a coupling belt 27, a gearing mechanism (not shown), a sprocket-and-chain mechanism (not shown) or the like for allowing the pulley 21 to be indirectly coupled to the motor 23 with the pulley 21 and for allowing the pulley 21 and thus the cranks 13 to be driven or rotated relative to the base 10 or the stud 12 by the motor 23. The coupling the fly wheel 26 to the pulley 21 may thus be formed or acted as a speed reduction mechanism. Alternatively, the fly wheel 26 or the cranks 13 may also be directly coupled to the motor 23 with another coupling device (not shown) without the fly wheel 26 and the pulley 21.

A carrier 30 is to be supported on the base 10 and is to be moved relative to the base 10 in an elliptical and reciprocating action, and includes one or more (such as two) levers 31, 32 having one end or a front portion coupled together with a front barrel 33 which is pivotally coupled to the base 10, such as pivotally coupled to the one end or the front portion or the front column 11 of the base 10 with a pivotal link 16 and a pivot pin 17 which is downwardly dependent on or from the front column 11 of the base 10 for allowing the one end or the front portion or the front barrel 33 of the carrier 30 to be pivoted or rotated relative to the front column 11 of the base 10 and to be moved forwardly and rearwardly relative to the base 10 in a reciprocating action, best shown in FIGS. 5-7. It is preferable that the carrier 30 includes a bar 34 coupled between the middle portion of the levers 31, 32 for forming a stable or solid structure to the carrier 30.

The carrier 30 includes a curved segment or member 35 formed or provided on the rear end or the rear portion 36 of each of the levers 31, 32 and engaged onto the rollers 15 of the cranks 13 respectively, and the curved members 35 include a suitable curvature for slidably or movably engaging onto the rollers 15 of the cranks 13 and for allowing the curved members 35 to be forced and guided to move forwardly and rearwardly and upwardly and downwardly or cyclically relative to the base 10 by or with the cranks 13 and the motor 23 (FIGS. 5-7). It is to be noted that the curved members 35 each include an upwardly curved curvature having a top dead center portion 37 and a relatively lower portion 38 for allowing the rollers 15 of the cranks 13 to have a tendency to be moved toward and retained on the top dead center portion 37 of the curved members 35.

The length of the levers 31, 32 are preferably predetermined and arranged for preventing the curved members 35 from being disengaged from the rollers 15 of the cranks 13 when the carrier 30 is moved forwardly and rearwardly relative to the base 10 in the reciprocating action (FIGS. 5-7). It is preferable that the carrier 30 further includes a positioning or stop member 39 attached or secured to the front and/or the rear portion of either or both of the curved members 35 for engaging with the rollers 15 of the cranks 13 and for limiting the movement of the levers 31, 32 or the carrier 30 relative to the rollers 15 of the cranks 13 and for preventing the levers 31, 32 or the carrier 30 from being disengaged from the rollers 15 of the cranks 13.

It is preferable that a retaining member 40 may further be provided and coupled or secured to either or both of the levers 31, 32 or the carrier 30, and secured to the stop member 39, and includes a suitable curvature similar or identical to that of the curved members 35 of the carrier 30, or the retaining member 40 is arranged parallel to the curved members 35 of the carrier 30 for further confining the rollers 15 of the cranks 13 between the retaining member 40 and the curved members 35 of the carrier 30 and in engagement with the curved members 35 of the levers 31, 32 or the carrier 30 and for preventing the levers 31, 32 or the carrier 30 from being disengaged from the rollers 15 of the cranks 13. In operation, as shown in FIGS. 5-7, the levers 31, 32 or the carrier 30 may thus be moved forwardly and rearwardly relative to the base 10 in the reciprocating action by or with the cranks 13 and the motor 23 and may be prevented from being disengaged from the rollers 15 of the cranks 13 inadvertently.

It is to be noted that the curved members 35 of the levers 31, 32 or the carrier 30 are not solidly or pivotally coupled to the cranks 13 such that the curved members 35 of the levers 31, 32 or the carrier 30 may be moved relative to the rollers 15 of the cranks 13, and such that the moving strokes of the curved members 35 of the levers 31, 32 or the carrier 30 relative to the rollers 15 of the cranks 13 may be different or changed when the curved members 35 of the levers 31, 32 or the carrier 30 are moved in different speeds relative to the rollers 15 of the cranks 13, as also best shown in FIGS. 5-7. The curved members 35 of the levers 31, 32 or the carrier 30 may also be caused to selectively move relative to the rollers 15 of the cranks 13 by the users themselves and by the moment of inertia when the users are stepped onto the carrier 30.

The carrier 30 is provided for supporting a rider support 50 thereon in order to support a user on the rider support 50, and includes a housing 41 disposed on the carrier 30, such as attached to or disposed on the bar 34 of the carrier 30, and the housing 41 includes a chamber 42 formed therein and preferably having a non-circular cross section (FIGS. 4, 8). For example, the rider support 50 includes a post 51 slidably engaged into the chamber 42 of the housing 41 (FIG. 9) and preferably having a non-circular cross section (FIGS. 8, 10) corresponding to that of the chamber 42 of the housing 41 for allowing the post 51 to be guided to slide or move longitudinally along the housing 41 or to move up and down relative to the housing 41 and the carrier 30 and for preventing the post 51 from being rotated relative to the housing 41 and the carrier 30.

The post 51 of the rider support 50 is provided for supporting a seat cushion or saddle 52 thereon (FIGS. 1, 3) for supporting a user thereon, and includes a tube 53 (FIGS. 8, 9), such as a threaded tube 53 engaged in the post 51 and secured to the post 51 with such as fasteners 54 (FIG. 9). Another motor 55 is further provided and attached or secured to the carrier 30, such as attached or secured to the bar 34 or the housing 41 of the carrier 30, and a bolt or threaded member 56 rotatably attached to the bar 34 or the housing 41 of the carrier 30 or rotatably attached to the outer housing of the motor 55 and threaded or engaged with the tube 53, and the threaded member 56 is coupled to the motor 55 for being rotated or driven by the motor 55 and for allowing the tube 53 and the post 51 and thus the saddle 52 to be moved or adjusted up and down along and relative to the housing 41 or the carrier 30 by the motor 55, such that the tube 53 and the threaded member 56 may thus be formed or acted as an adjusting means or device and coupled to the post 51 or the tube 53 for adjusting the rider support 50 up and down relative to the housing 41 or the carrier 30.

The rider support 50 includes a beam 57 disposed on top of the post 51 (FIGS. 5-11) and preferably disposed parallel to the carrier 30 and/or the base 10, and includes a hub 58 disposed on the beam 57, such as disposed on the middle portion of the beam 57, and includes two casings 59 also disposed on the beam 57, such as disposed on the side portions of the beam 57 and located beside the hub 58 or on the two side portions of the hub 58. The rider support 50 further includes a seat or frame 60 rotatably or pivotally coupled to the hub 58 of the beam 57 with such as a pivot rod 61 (FIGS. 9, 11) for allowing the frame 60 of the rider support 50 to be rotated or pivoted or tilted or inclined relative to the beam 57 and the post 51 (FIG. 11). The seat cushion or saddle 52 is disposed or supported on the frame 60.

Two spring members 62 are engaged in the casings 59 and engaged with the frame 60 or engaged between the beam 57 and the frame 60 for cushioning the frame 60 and thus the saddle 52, and two fasteners 63 may be slidably engaged through the casings 59 of the beam 57 and the spring members 62 and threaded or engaged with the frame 60, and the fasteners 63 each include an enlarged head 64 for engaging with the beam 57 and for limiting the tilting or rotating movement of the frame 60 the rider support 50 relative to the beam 57 and the post 51 or for preventing the rider support 50 from being over rotated relative to the beam 57 and the post 51. The rider support 50 further includes an arm 65 attached or secured onto the frame 60, such as attached to the front and lower portion of the frame 60, and the arm 65 includes a number of orifices 66 formed therein (FIG. 10) for adjustably attaching or securing two stirrups 67 to the frame 60 and for engaging with the feet of the rider.

In operation, as shown in FIGS. 5-7, the levers 31, 32 or the carrier 30 may be moved forwardly and rearwardly relative to the base 10 in the reciprocating action by the engagement of the curved members 35 of the levers 31, 32 or the carrier 30 with the rollers 15 of the cranks 13, and the one end or front portion or the front barrel 33 of the carrier 30 is pivotally coupled to the base 10 with the pivotal link 16 and the pivot pin 17 such that the carrier 30 may be caused to move relative to the base 10 in an elliptical and reciprocating action by the cranks 13 and the motor 23. The cranks 13 and the motor 23 and/or the curved members 35 of the levers 31, 32 or the carrier 30 may thus be formed or acted as a moving means or device for moving the carrier 30 relative to the base 10 in the elliptical and reciprocating action. The typical riding devices or rodeo training devices failed to provide and dispose a saddle 52 or a rider support 50 on the carrier 30 for supporting the user, and a motor driving means or device 20 for moving the carrier 30 relative to the base 10 in an elliptical and reciprocating action.

The carrier 30 may be moved relative to the rollers 15 of the cranks 13 in different moving strokes relative to the base 10 because the curved members 35 of the levers 31, 32 or the carrier 30 are not solidly or pivotally coupled to the cranks 13 such that the curved members 35 of the levers 31, 32 or the carrier 30 may be moved relative to the rollers 15 of the cranks 13, and such that the moving strokes of the curved members 35 of the levers 31, 32 or the carrier 30 relative to the rollers 15 of the cranks 13 may be different or changed when the curved members 35 of the levers 31, 32 or the carrier 30 are moved in different speeds relative to the rollers 15 of the cranks 13. The curved members 35 of the levers 31, 32 or the carrier 30 may also be caused to selectively move relative to the rollers 15 of the cranks 13 by the users themselves and by the moment of inertia when the users are stepped onto the carrier 30.

The rider support 50 and thus the saddle 52 may be moved or adjusted up and down along the housing 41 and relative to the carrier 30 by the motor 55 according to the different heights of the users. The frame 60 and thus the saddle 52 may be suitably tilted or rotated relative to the beam 57 and the post 51 and cushioned by the spring members 62 for allowing the user to be comfortably supported on the rider support 50. The one end or front portion of the levers 31, 32 of the carrier 30 may also be slidably supported or coupled to the base 10 with such as rollers or wheels (not shown) instead of the pivotal link 16 and the pivot pin 17, the carrier 30 may also be caused to move relative to the base 10 in the elliptical and reciprocating action by the cranks 13 and the motor 23.

It is to be noted that the engagement of the curved members 35 of the levers 31, 32 or the carrier 30 with the rollers 15 of the cranks 13 may also be arranged or disposed on the front portion of the levers 31, 32 or the carrier 30 in order to move the rider support 50 and the carrier 30 relative to the base 10 in the elliptical and reciprocating action, and the rear portion of the levers 31, 32 or the carrier 30 may be pivotally coupled to the rear portion of the base 10 with the pivotal link 16 and the pivot pin 17 or slidably coupled to the base 10 with the rollers or wheels (not shown).

Accordingly, the riding device in accordance with the present invention includes a rider support movable relative to a drive mechanism or device for allowing the rider support to be selectively moved relative to the drive mechanism or device by the users themselves, and for allowing the rider support to be moved in different moving strokes relative to the drive mechanism or device by the drive mechanism or device and by the moment of inertia.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the detailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

1. A riding device comprising: a base, a carrier supported on said base and movable relative to said base, a rider support supported on said carrier and moved in concert with each other for supporting a rider, and means for moving said carrier and said rider support relative to said base in an elliptical and reciprocating action.
 2. The riding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base includes at least one crank rotatably attached to said base, and said carrier includes a curved member engaged with said at least one crank for allowing said curved member of said carrier to be forced to move in the elliptical and reciprocating action by said at least one crank.
 3. The riding device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said base includes a roller rotatably attached to said at least one crank and engaged with said curved member of said carrier.
 4. The riding device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said carrier includes a stop member attached to said curved member for engaging with said roller and for limiting said carrier to move relative to said roller of said at least one crank.
 5. The riding device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said carrier includes a retaining member attached to said carrier and parallel to said curved member of said carrier for confining said roller between said retaining member and said curved member of said carrier.
 6. The riding device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said moving means includes a driving device coupled to said at least one crank for rotating said at least one crank relative to said base.
 7. The riding device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said driving device includes a fly wheel rotatably attached to said base and coupled to said at least one crank and rotated in concert with said at least one crank, a pulley rotatably attached to said base and coupled to said fly wheel, and a motor coupled to said pulley for rotating said pulley and said fly wheel and said at least one crank relative to said base.
 8. The riding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said carrier includes an end portion movable forwardly and rearwardly relative to said base in a reciprocating action.
 9. The riding device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said end portion of said carrier is pivotally coupled to said base with a link.
 10. The riding device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said base includes a column extended therefrom, and said link is dependent downwardly from said column of said base and pivotally coupled to said end portion of said carrier with a pivot pin.
 11. The riding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rider support includes a post slidably engaged with said carrier and movable up and down relative to said carrier.
 12. The riding device as claimed in claim 11, wherein said carrier includes a housing disposed on said carrier for slidably receiving said post.
 13. The riding device as claimed in claim 11, wherein said rider support includes a frame pivotally supported on said post with a pivot rod, and a saddle disposed on said frame.
 14. The riding device as claimed in claim 13, wherein said post includes a beam disposed on said post, a hub disposed on said beam and pivotally coupled to said frame with said pivot rod.
 15. The riding device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said rider support includes at least one spring member engaged between said beam and said frame for cushioning said frame and said saddle.
 16. The riding device as claimed in claim 15, wherein said rider support includes a fastener slidably engaged through said beam and said at least one spring member and engaged with said frame for limiting said frame to tilt relative to said beam and said post.
 17. The riding device as claimed in claim 13, wherein said rider support includes an arm attached to said frame for adjustably attaching at least one stirrup to said frame.
 18. The riding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rider support includes a tube, and said carrier includes a threaded member rotatably attached to said carrier and engaged with said tube for adjusting said tube of said rider support up and down relative to said carrier.
 19. The riding device as claimed in claim 18, wherein said carrier includes a motor coupled to said threaded member for rotating said threaded member relative to said carrier. 